Chapter 44 - Feelings

Bryan pulled back after a long while. Serefina couldn't make out his face in the dim light. But she could feel the gloom on his face.

"My apologies, Sef, " Bryan's crisp voice cracked and sounded sore from all the crying.

"It's not like you aren't allowed to cry your feelings out Bryan. You're really strong. But it always seems like you forget you're a person too," Serefina said and reached for his hand and squeezed it.

"I know. But everything that's been going about right now. You're grandma, Sedvie and Grypsin's funeral. I need to stay strong for everyone and you too. Me breaking down like this isn't an option," he paused.

"I am a Prince, Sef. I have to be the person who gives his people a shoulder for support and sometimes something to keep their burdens on."

"That's the reason you deserve to be the Crown Prince," Serefina said. "You think about everyone else but never yourself. I have seen the respect the people you know have for you. It clearly shows in their eyes. Trust yourself. Trust your abilities as a prince, won't you?"

Bryan was silent for a while. "This was my brother's sword," he held up the sword in the candle's light to show it to Serefina. "He said that he'd give this sword to me on my sixteenth birthday. But he left us before I even turned fifteen. But when I touch it and hold it in my arms, it feels like he's with me."

Serefina didn't know what to say.

"I am really very sorry for hiding things from you, Sef," he continued. "If I tell you everything now, you won't be able to handle it and I fear that...this is selfish of me isn't it?"

"No, not at all," Serefina argued. "From the moment I started to know you, I knew you were a good person. And what you do is always reasonable. I'll wait until your fear vanishes for good."

Bryan and Serefina stared at each other's eyes even though they couldn't make out each other's faces.

Serefina didn't know how but she clearly knew now. Why did Bryan become such an important person to her? She had the answer now. She had realised what she really felt.

"I...like you, Bryan." she looked down trying to avoid eye contact. Then she blurted out, "I have for a while now. Sorry I don't know what came over me. I just blurted my thoughts out loud. I don't want things to be awkward between us. If you want to stay friends, let's stay friends. It'll take time but I'll get used to it, I promise!" Serefina panted for breath.

Serefina was blushing so red that she definitely looked like a red balloon right now. What was she even saying? Nothing made sense. Bryan was now probably thinking why did he make this weird girl his friend.

Bryan was silent. Serefina couldn't bare it anymore. She stood up, "I should leave. And yeah, all the best for tomorrow, you will be fine just as I said trust yourself."

She was about to rush over to the door but Bryan stopped her by her hand.

"That's not fair, Sef," he said.

Serefina's eyes widened and she turned around. They were now standing up so she could see Bryan's face more clearly. Bryan's cheeks were flustered red. Was he really blushing?

"I wanted to be the one to tell you first," he said looking away and scratching his neck with his free hand. Serefina could see the nervousness.

"W-what do mean?" she asked.

"I was waiting for the right time to tell you that I like you but...you're my Sef. And you never forget to surprise me, do you?"

Serefina could feel her face getting hotter and hotter. Was she having a fever or something?

"S-so you l-like me too?"

"As a matter of fact I started to like you since the first time I saw you."

They both went silent again. Serefina was counting the seconds as she stared at their hands locked together. She didn't know when Bryan had interlocked their fingers.

"So...what are we now?" she asked.

"What do you want us to be?" he asked back.

Serefina thought for a moment, not able to say it out loud. But she didn't know when she blurted out, "I want us to be a...thing, you know?"

"You mean to say that you'll be my girlfriend?"

"Uhm. Yeah. If that's okay with you?"

Bryan responded by pulling Serefina in for a hug. She had hugged him so many times before but this time felt different. It felt warmer than any of the hugs as she hugged him back.

"Sef, you don't know how long I've waited for this moment. Why would I ever refuse? As I've said before, you're the most precious person to me and now my girlfriend. What could I ever need more?"

Serefina smiled. A real deal of a smile. A grin would be a better way to express how she felt. She was really happy after a long time.

They pulled back but deep inside Serefina didn't want to.

"Sef, I think you should get home. It's really late, " Bryan said.

"Yeah."

"Though who told you I was like this?"

"Critty came to my house and told about the preponderance."

"Hmm. She is heck of a truth spiller. So you finally learnt how to teleport!"

"I know right? It wasn't really difficult. I was in front of your door in a matter of seconds!"

"I am glad." Bryan smiled. His signature smile. She had missed it. He looked wonderful even in the dark.

"I should leave now." Serefina and Bryan unlocked their hands.

"Good night, Sef. I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

"Yeah you definitely will."

With that Serefina closed her eyes and thought of her room from the time crystal and teleported away.